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The Elk Mountains vs. You!

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The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 02 21, 2019 •  [Post 1]

Well, for those who hunted the elk mountains in 2018, how did you do physically? Were you able to get up and get at em each day, starting from day one? Did your conditioning allow you to hunt your target area each day, and, divert your course as necessary during the hunt to maximize your opportunities?

In short, how do you feel you did in 2018 vs. the elk mountains? Are you doing anything differently this year to prepare yourself for the rigors of your upcoming fall elk hunt?
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Old school » 02 21, 2019 •  [Post 2]

I’ve yet to climb that first mountain the first morning and say to myself “yep, I’m in good enough shape...”
I try to just get incrementally better each year. This winter I’ve been putting about 60 lbs in my pack and walking the trails here in the woods. Helps cardio and leg strength.

-Mitch
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Lefty » 02 21, 2019 •  [Post 3]

Im doing great

I m thankful for each and every day Im out there. When I start reporting from the ground blind in the desert, the mountains have beat me.

My brother passed years ago, my other younger brother can barely walk.

My friend, neighbor, doc( orthopedic surgeon and perifial nerve specialist), and Bishop ( ecclesiastical leader) sent me to a neurologist.
The neurologist said I would be wheelchair bound by the fall of 2018.I use treking poles when hiking,.. but nolonger need a cane to get around.

A couple times I thought better than to go in deeper, but still did it did mean a 3-4 hour hike out in the dark,..

Life good,.. get up each day and do something
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Swede » 02 21, 2019 •  [Post 4]

I hunt as much as ever, I just don't go as fast. I may or may not go as far, but it has not kept me from being effective. In fact not running and gunning may be an asset.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Indian Summer » 02 21, 2019 •  [Post 5]

Every man has his limit. The mountains have more than anyone’s limit. So it depends on how far you want to push yourself. I enjoy pushing myself. That means a couple things. No days off. Get up and go hunt every day like you joined the army and have no choice. The other thing is no half hearted efforts. Hunt like a dog wherever you think your best chance of killing an elk is.

Last year I handled my hunt well. A couple hours every day just to start hunting. This year I have a better motivating factor: A bull tag instead of a cow tag. So I have a feeling I’ll be just fine. My high camp is actually going to make life easier too once I pay the price to get it up there.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Elkduds » 02 21, 2019 •  [Post 6]

You mean these Elk Mountains?
Maroon Bells.png
Maroon Bells, Snowmass Wilderness, Elk Mountain Range, Colorado
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 02 22, 2019 •  [Post 7]

Ya, just like those ;).
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Fridaythe13th » 02 22, 2019 •  [Post 8]

I'm 46 years old I think Haha and in the worse shape of my life. If I don't get my head out of my butt elk won't be in the future, 1 of my elk hunting buddy's last year kept saying that he was a better fisherman or deer hunter. He was tired of climbing hills. That well be me. Time to get going. Thank for letting me bitch at myself.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby elkstalker » 02 22, 2019 •  [Post 9]

I had a rough start after building/moving into our new house last summer, didn't spend much time preparing physically, but by the end of my 10 day elk hunt and 5 day MD hunt I was in tip top shape :lol: This year I need to remember to start before the season ;) I have been doing a bit of skiing and started playing hockey with my son, so at least I'm doing something besides sitting on my butt in my ice shanty in this subzero weather. I love winter sports but honestly can't wait for warmer weather and the long days of summer.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Swede » 02 22, 2019 •  [Post 10]

One of the things that really helps and keeps things easier for me is that I am hunting 5,000-6,000 feet in elevation and not 10,000-12,000 feet elevation. I would have a hard time preparing for that since I live below 300 feet elevation. I go to camp about five days early and it helps a lot. I do not know if living and working at higher elevations in the past has made it easier to adjust, but it has not been a problem for me.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby CurlyTail » 02 22, 2019 •  [Post 11]

I am happy to report that on the 6 month anniversary of my hip replacement surgery, I was hauling an elk hind quarter out of the back country and there were plenty of things bothering me more than my hip. Admittedly, it was one of our easier pack out jobs. Feeling fortunate.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Swede » 02 22, 2019 •  [Post 12]

Good for you Curly. Never give up. Hopefully you get another this year to retest that hip replacement on. Those replacement parts need regular testing. :D
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby BrentLaBere » 02 26, 2019 •  [Post 13]

The mountains were as tough as they have ever been for me. Dealing with back issues made for some serious limitations. It took me a lot longer to get places I wanted to get. As the day went on I would feel a lot better. Getting up in the morning and trying to put my socks on and tie my boots was the hardest part of the day.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Tigger » 02 26, 2019 •  [Post 14]

You can never beat them, but I did...okay. I did have a weird problem develop on the muscle that goes from your shoulder to your neck. It balled so big you could see the lump with my shirts on. Got through that though. Cardio in the mountains is always tough.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby ElkNut1 » 02 26, 2019 •  [Post 15]

I workout year around so I'm generally as physically prepared as I possibly can be, as long as I can continue to conquer that part it helps to endure the mental fatigue that can & will happen. Sometimes it's a struggle but I try convincing myself that this is why I train! (grin)

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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Swede » 02 26, 2019 •  [Post 16]

It seems to me that one of the biggest problems for folks going elk hunting is elevation. Going from 500 feet elevation to 10,000 feet or more is going to be a huge challenge. I suspect a lot of people think they are getting in good shape, when in reality they are only adjusting to the altitude.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby lilshootergirl » 02 26, 2019 •  [Post 17]

I work on our farm from dawn to dust, when the chantrel start growing, (September) that's when the hiking starts, same as hunting, go where others won't go, farther away of roads & trails. Love the woods, last year I called in a crow! Yea a crow he wasn't happy when he realized I wasn't a crow! Can't wait till this season! Learned so much from you seasoned hunter! Thank you guys
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 02 26, 2019 •  [Post 18]

lilshootergirl wrote: Love the woods, last year I called in a crow! Yea a crow he wasn't happy when he realized I wasn't a crow!


That's awesome :D
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby elkstalker » 02 26, 2019 •  [Post 19]

I will say that as I get older, it's harder to jump right into things if I'm not physically prepared. Soreness is a bigger factor, as are over-use injuries, this year I developed some sort of tendinitis in one of my heels from pushing a little too hard the first few days of my hunt, it bugged me for the rest of the season. This year I definitely need to keep moving and training more through the summer.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby jmez » 02 28, 2019 •  [Post 20]

I was fine. I take my conditioning pretty seriously and work out every day all year long. So many things on a mountain hunt I have zero control over. My fitness is one thing I have 100% control of. I'll not let that limit me.

Like Elknut, I go in as physically prepared as possible.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby LarryBud » 03 03, 2019 •  [Post 21]

I did fine but no elk hauling this past year. We had plenty of action but couldn't close the deal.

I'll be 58 Yrs old this year and still feel pretty good about things. My feet and ankles take the worst of it, everything else including wind is GTG. We hunt at 9-10.5K so it usually takes a day or two to acclimate coming from the prairie floor where I spend 50 weeks a year.

When I quit working I'll spend more time easing in to things but for now it's in, hunt, back to work.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Chuckler » 03 05, 2019 •  [Post 22]

I felt in pretty solid shape this year. I am a firm believer in fitness. It truly affects all aspects of life: mental, spiritual, physical, stress, emotions, confidence, and more. I work out year round and train to hunt. However, I would stay in shape regardless of hunting; fitness is just too valuable. Hunting is a great motivator though. A typical year of fitness looks like the following for me:

September-November = Hunting. I will try and fit in maintenance workouts. However, if I have a day off I am probably hunting.
December-February = Rebuilding strength with Stronglifts 5x5 program.
March-August = A mix of heavy lifts, runs, and rucks. As September approaches, I will focus more on running and rucking the mountain.

For me, the hard part is fueling properly and making myself eat enough calories when I am on the mountain.

Nothing good comes easy!
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby wawhitey » 03 06, 2019 •  [Post 23]

My cardio is solid nowadays. I find hiking / packing my muscles get sore long before i will ever get winded / heart pounding. I need to build strength. 6 hours of snowshoeing yesterday, first 4 hours uphill. Decided to drop in the gym on my way home and sign up. Ill be going in tomorrow to get started. Just need to corner somebody and get them to show me how to lift properly without hurting myself. I know a couple guys who have screwed themselves up pretty good lifting weights.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby ishy » 03 06, 2019 •  [Post 24]

I just hunt with old duffers, makes me feel like a mountain goat!
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby MtnOak » 05 11, 2019 •  [Post 25]

At 47 I think as far as being in shape 2018 was my best year yet with the mountain and that's with a stent in my LAD (widow maker) i'll start getting in shape starting in june by july i'm doing bleachers in the morning at our high school for an hour or so before work, most of August i'll do bleachers with 20lb in my pack by September iv'e got 30-40lb in there, funny thing is I felt so good out there I didnt' eat much from going so hard I lost 16lbs in 9 days...but...…...then the holidays hit and I put a lot of it back on..bummer...
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby saddlesore » 05 12, 2019 •  [Post 26]

Early last year with Rory's help ,I bought new ultra light weight gear as I thought I would start packing in again to the high country.Carrying anything on my back is a non-starter due to some physical limitations,so my little pack mule carries the panniers and I ride another small mule. In 2017, December I had my right shoulder fully replaced with an implant.

Therapy all thru winter and spring and I thought I was good to go. In July I did a shake down trip to about10,500. I made it OK but at the end of the day after setting up camp,I was done, done, done. I didn't have enough strength to take a wizz.
Come rifle season I was worried,a s I had to go solo. I packed the camper,loaded the mules, and headed out.I camped at the trail head ( about9000 feet) and left camp opening day at about 3:30 AM

At 7:15 I killed the 2nd biggest bull I have ever shot. It took me until 1PM ( 5 hours) to have it skinned, quartered, and bagged, and loaded the hindquarters and antlers on my mule. Lifting the hinds on the mule was a major undertaking for me and when I got back to camp, I could not lift the panniers off the sawbuck .Luckily two guys hanging around did it for me .Next day, I packed out the backstraps and front quarters and came home the next day.

Except for my PT on my shoulder,the only other exercise I do is I walk about 2 miles most days,but work around the place keeps me a little fit.

Don' t plan to quit yet. I figure at 76 this year,I have at least 4 more years hunting. Now tell me all about this getting in shape and beating the elk mountains
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby robloft » 05 12, 2019 •  [Post 27]

Last year was my first hunting trip out west and I had read a lot about how I needed to be in shape and I thought I was in decent shape until I got out of the truck at 7000 ft. I know that’s not as high as some people hunt but coming from 300ft it was a big change. I got around ok I just couldn’t go as fast as I thought I’d be able to and I had to stop and catch my breath a lot. I didn’t get lucky enough to have to pack out anything but I feel like I could have managed it. Unfortunately I won’t be going west this fall but I plan to go again hopefully next fall. I feel like I know that I will need to be a little better prepared next time. I will definitely do more rucking to get ready before my next elk hunt.


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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 05 12, 2019 •  [Post 28]

saddlesore wrote:Don' t plan to quit yet. I figure at 76 this year,I have at least 4 more years hunting. Now tell me all about this getting in shape and beating the elk mountains


You’re the man Vince! I’m looking forward to many more years of hearing about your hunting adventures mister 8-)
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby >>>---WW----> » 05 13, 2019 •  [Post 29]

Many years ago, an old man told me that there would come a day when I wouldn't hunt the mountains anymore. I just laughed at him and said, "Not me"!

Now, I am that old man. It is so hard to admit it. But after a bad knee replacement The time has come. The knee is strong but they compromised the paraneal (sp) nerve in my leg. I now have to walk flat footed and my balance just plain sucks.

My heart is still in the elk woods but my body knows better. In the end, the mountain always wins! :(
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Fullabull » 06 13, 2019 •  [Post 30]

I normally start hiking and working out to get in shape for archery hunting and its not to bad. I start easy since I have two weeks. By the end I usually have lost ten pounds and feel great by the end odd my hunt. This year I'm in even better shape. I started doing boot camps with my wife at the Y and they kick my butt and it never gets easier because you just keep working harder. I'm 59 and out work my 25 year old son. It's kills him and I love it :)
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby juglow » 06 17, 2019 •  [Post 31]

Being on the Eastern Side of the US, I usually start cardio/weighted hiking around May (spring turkey) but workout year round. I just don't like cardio but I tell myself whatever pain I feel now will be amplified 10times over in the West. Not sure the love/hate feeling Elk hunting brings....it is definitely an unexplainable addiction IMO...
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Trophyhill » 06 18, 2019 •  [Post 32]

I did quite well in the elk mountains last year. I expect to do well this year too. Last year I did not work out or even try to get in any kind of elk shape. SW NM is not exactly known for it's high summits though either.

This year I drew the same tag with a catch. I also drew Colorado and will be hunting high altitude and camping at 10k feet. Been working out for the last 2 months and feeling it. gonna be a fun year :)
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby RobinHood » 07 04, 2019 •  [Post 33]

I get some moderate exercise (walking) but at 75 I don’t have nearly the energy, strength or stamina I had at 30; I can’t haul as much, walk as far or clime nearly as high. I work smarter by picking places with rolling hills, a reasonable number of elk, and getting to know the area and elk patterns like the back of my hand. I look for places that other hunters pass on because they’re too small or too near roads/trails simply through careful study of digital topo and aerial maps, and spending years “scouting/hunting” the same general area. I hunt slower and don’t venture as far afield. I hunt with two longtime, younger partners who help me tremendously, especially if I shoot something. All that said, last archery season I shot the largest bull I’ve ever harvested. :geek:
"When you get to the fork in the road, take it." Yogi Berra
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Swede » 07 04, 2019 •  [Post 34]

RobinHood wrote: I work smarter by picking places with rolling hills, a reasonable number of elk, and getting to know the area and elk patterns like the back of my hand.


Robin: It is amazing that what you and Saddlesore do works so well. We are probably as productive as at any time in our hunting life. I got my elk last season 700 feet from a main arterial road. I had quite a few elk including a herd bull come around. Still my son wants me to hike back 5 miles into an area where he hopes the elk are hanging out. To be sure, when I was there in the past there were no more elk back 5-6 miles than what I saw near the road. The secret is in finding niches that others pass by. BTW: Finding places to hunt closer in is not all that hard.
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Re: The Elk Mountains vs. You!

Postby Swede » 07 04, 2019 •  [Post 35]

>>>---WW----> wrote:My heart is still in the elk woods but my body knows better. In the end, the mountain always wins!


I think you would still be an asset in camp and to have around the campfire. Your body may be letting you down, but your mind is as fit as ever. Just keep on sharing they things you have learned and explain they things you know. I know you have experienced things I never will, and have insights into elk hunting I don't. It is kind of funny, but sometimes I read your posts and some of the posts of others here, and wonder why it has worked that way for you.
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